Rear door lock for vehicles



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March l2, 1940. 2,193,633

A. G. LANGFORD REAR DOOR LOCK FOR VEHICLES Filed Dec. 1'?, 1838 l i i i I INVENTOR 32 ffmd Patented Mar. 12, 1940 UNITED sTArEs PATENT ori-ics My invention relates to an improvement in rear door lock for vehicles, wherein it is desired to provide a safety lock operableto prevent the accidental opening'of the rear doors of a passenger vehicle or other vehicle of the four door type. Y

During the past few years. numerous accidents have been caused by the accidental opening of the rear doors of vehicles while the same are in motion. Probably the majority of these accidents are caused by children in the rear seat of the vehicle playing with, or pushing against, the door latch of the rear door. As most of the vehicles of the four door type are constructed so il that the rear doors are hinged at the back, any slight opening of the rear door causes the wind to catch the door and Jerk it open. pulling outopening of the door will cause a person leaning against the door to fall out.v Furthermore, the

increase inair resistance caused on one side of the vehicle by the sudden opening of the door often causes a person driving the vehicle to lose control thereover.

Attempts have previously been made to provide safety locks for the rear doors of cars. Most of these locks, however, have been costly and complicated to manufacture, and expensive to install. Some of these former devices make nec- 3 essary a special formation of the door edges. so that the locks cannot be applied after the car has been manufactured.

It is the object of the present invention -to construct a safety door lock for car rear doors which is extremely inexpensive to manufacture, which canA be applied easily, and. which can be i added as an appliance to the car as manufactured, or may be added laterat virtually no extra cost to the purchaser.

It is an object of my invention to provide a safety door lock for rear vehicle doors of a type in which the rear door will be effectively locked as long as the front door is in closed position. 'I'he opening of the front door of the vehicle acts to automatically release the safety lock and will permit the rear. door to be opened in the usual manner. Thus, in parking the car, it is only necessary to lock the front doors, for as long as these doors are closed the rear doors cannot be opened, resulting in a considerable saving in time.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a safety lock for .rear car doors which will permit the rear door to be closed after the front door has been closed. Injury to the door, or to the lock, is thus prevented in case the rear door is closed after the front door. The rear door, once opened, can be closed any time.

It is an added feature of my invention that the vto use the lock when children are carried in the i back seat and to hold the lock inoperative when older persons are transported.

It is also a feature of my invention that my lock is adjustable to i'it virtually any make or type of car having four doors. Because of this, 1,0 it is not necessary `to provide a different size and shape of lock for every make and model of car manufactured. 1.

These and other objects andnovel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following speciiication and claims.-

In the drawing forming a part of my speciwardly anyone grasping the door latch. Even flctin:

if the latch handlel is not being held, the sudden -Flgure 1 is a perspective view of-a car -embodying my lock. i'

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional Cview through a door post between the front and rear doors showing the relationship of the doors thereto, as indicated by line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a viewsimilar to Figureil showing the frontdoor open -toLreicase the safety lock from engaging the rear door.

Figure 4 is a section similar to Figure 3. showing the lock in inoperative position.

Figure 5 isa perspective view of the lock itself, showing the relationship of the parts. 1

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the lock with the catch for making the lock inoperative being changed fromv operative to inoperative position, or vice versa.

Figure is a plan view of the forward portion of the locking bolt.

Figure 8 is a perspective .view of the catch capable of rendering the lock operable or inoperable.

Figure 9 .is a perspective view of the spring` 'w supporting and actuating the locking bolt.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a slightly different form of actuating spring.

Figure 1l is another modied form of actuating spring.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the form of .catch rendering the lock operable or inoperable is supported by a spring strip II and a spring n catch I6. The spring strip I5 is secured to the post I0 by any suitable means such as the screw II, and the spring catch I3 is pivoted to the spring strip I5. The bolt I3 extends through aligned apertures I8 transversely through the post I0, from the edge thereof adjacent the front door I I to the edge adjacent the rear door I2.

'Ihe bolt I3 comprises two parts threaded together so as to be adjustable in length. The female portion I9 includes a socket portion 20 of enlarged diameter which is hollow axially and is internally threaded, and a locking shank 2| of smaller diameter. The end of the shank 2| is bevelled at 22 to permit actuation by the rear door if the rear door is closed after the front door has been closed. The male portion 23 of the bolt I3 is threaded to fit into the socket portion 2|I, and is provided with three sets of opposed transverse slots. Two of these pairs of slots, 24 and 25, extend vertically when the bolt I3 is in place to engage the spring catch I5 in a manner which will be later described. The third pair of opposed slots 26.are designed to receivethe end of the spring strip |5. A lock nut 21 is provided on the threaded portion 23 of the bolt, to hold the male and female portions of the bolt I3 in proper adjusted relationship.

The spring strip I5 is bifurcated at each end. The central slot 28 atv one end thereof is designed to accommodate the screw I1 extending into the post Ill. The central slot 28 is preferable to an aperture through the spring strip, as it permits adjustment longitudinally of the spring strip. The slot 29 in the other end of the spring strip I5 is of substantially the same width as the body portion of the threaded bolt portion 23 between the opposed slots 26. The fingers on either side of the slot 29 engage in the slots 26 and hold this bolt adjustable longitudinally of the spring strip I5, but non-rotatable with respect thereto. When the screw I1 is in place, the bolt I3 is normally held retracted or drawn forwardly by the spring strip; the intermediate forwardly bulging loop portion 30 of the spring strip holding the bolt in this forwardposition.

The spring catch I6 is pivotally connected at one end to the spring qstrip I5. In the form shown, an ear 3| on .the end of the catch I6 extends through an' aperture 32 in the strip I5. This ear 3| is/b'ent forwardly at right angles to the body of/the catch, vand then bent parallel the catch/providing a portion 33 ,designed to overlie the body of the spring strip I5. The aperture 32 is of suiilcient size to permit the catch I6 to pivot a desired extent with respect to the spring I5.

The catch I6 is'provided with a slot 34 extending into the body of the same from the lower edge thereof. This slot 34 is of proper width to engage in the opposed slots 24 or 25. When engaged in the slots 25, the catch I6 does not affect the operation of bolt I3. When engaged in the slots 24, however, the bolt I3 is prevented from sliding into engagement with the rear door I2. A lip 35 on the end of the catch I5 enables the catch to be engaged i'or operation.

In applying the lock A to the car B, aligned openings I8 are formed through the post I0, and an opening or recess I4 in registry therewith is formed in the rear door I2. The bolt I3 is assembled and attached to the spring strip I5 and catch I6 as shown in Figure 5 of the drawing. The bolt I3 is inserted through the openings I8 in the post I0, and the screw II is screwed into the post III, the screw being positioned in the arcanes slot 23. The screw II has its axis on substantial- Ly the same horizontal plane as the axes of the holes I3.

' The length of the bolt I3 is adjusted so that, when the front door II is open, the tapered end or bevelled end 22 is in close proximity to the aperture or recess I4 in the rear door I2, but is not actually extending into the same. It will then be found that as the front door is closed, the edge 35 thereof will engage the central loop portion 30 of the spring strip I5, flexing the spring rearwardly, and moving the bolt I3 rearwardly. If the rear door I2 is closed, the bolt I3 will then project into the aperture I4. If, on the other hand, the rear door I2 is not closed, the bolt I3 will be extended rearwardly so that the bevelled end 22 thereof is in the path of the inner corner 31 and forward edge 38 of the rear door I2. Accordingly, if the rear door I2 is closed while the bolt is in this position, the bevelled surface 22 will engage the corner 3'I and edge 33, sliding the bolt I3 forwardly and flexing the spring strip I5 until the rear bevelled end of the bolt drops into the recess I4. When thus engaged, any attempt to open the rear door will cause the locking shank 2| to engage the inner edge of the recess I4. Obviously, the side oi the shank 2l opposite the bevelled surface 22 will engage the recess edge.

To release the lock, the front door I I is opened` slightly, relieving pressure against the spring strip I5 which then assumes its normal position, pulling the bolt I3 forwardly out of the recess I4. Thus, when the lock A is in operation, the rear doors I2 can be opened only when the front doors are open.

In some instances, it is -desired to open the rear doors without opening the front doors. In order to permit such operation when desired, the lip 35 is engaged, and the inner end of the spring catch I3 is pivoted upwardly as illustrated in Figure 6. This action releases the spring catch I5 from engagement with the opposed slots 25. The spring catch I3 is then flexed rearwardly into registry with the pair of opposed slots 24,

and pivoted downwardly, the body of the threaded portion 23 of the bolt I3 between the slots 24 being engaged in the slot 34 of the catch I6. When thus engaged, the engagement of the loop portion 3U of the spring I5 with the rear edge 35 of the front door II will cause the catch I5 to be pressed against the forward edge 39 of the post I3. Further rearward movement of the bolt I3 is prevented, and the closing of the front door II will merely flex the spring strip I5. The bolt I3 will thus be held out of the recess I4 in the rear door I2.

While the position of the bolt I3 when in ensagement with the rear door I2 is shown in full lines in Figure 2 of the drawing, this figure also shows in dotted outline the manner in which the bolt may be moved forward while the front door is held closed. This dotted line position would be assumed during the closing of the rear door I2 after the front door had been closed. This dotted lineposition oi the spring strip I5 and bolt I3 would also be assumed after the front door is closed if the catch I6 were in engagement with the slots 24 rather than the slots 25. The position of the parts in Figure 4 shows the catch I6 engaging the slots 24 while the front door II is open.

From an observation of Figure 2, it will be noted that when the front door II is closed, the bolt I3 will, in most installations, be flexed against mediately indicate that the regular door latch is disengaged. Furthermore, if resilient gaskets surround the door, these gaskets might otherwise cause a binding between the edge of the aperture I4 andthe bolt l I3 which will prevent the spring strip I5 from readily lretracting the bolt when the front door is opened. If desired, however, the recess I4 may be formed -to prevent outward movement of the rear door to any noticeable degree.

4In Figure 10 of the drawing I have disclosed a type of spring strip which can be used in place of the spring strip I5. This spring 40 is formed with a loop portion 4I, and bifurcated ends 42 and 43 both of which extend in the same direction. 'Ihis construction permits greater spring action, but cannot be used on every type of car construction, as more space is required between the post I0 and the front door I I than is available in some types of cars. Such a spring, however, is advantageous for use where sufiicient space is found.

Virtually the reverse of the spring shown in Figure 10 is shown in Figure 11. This construction similates that of Figure 9, but one end 48 is bent inwardly and slotted lat 41 to accommodate the fastening screw I'I. The other end of the spring 48 is slotted at 49 to accommodate the end Of the portion 23 0fb0lt I3, fitting in the Slots 26. The central loop portion 50 provides. the spring engagement with the front door II. An aperture 5I is formed in the front of the spring to admit the head of screw I1. A flange 51 is bent outwardly from the end 48, and is slotted to provide a hinge joint with the spring catch 8 3 shown in Figure 12. I

The catch l53 is similar to the catch IB, but has an ear 54 bent to engage through the slot 55 in the ange 52. If desired, the tongue or ear may be on the spring 48, and the hole may be formed in the catch 53, forming the pivotal joint.

The bolt I3 is shown adjustable, to flt virtually any width of post I0. 'Ihe bolts I3 may be made long enough to fit any post I8; and if thinner posts are encountered, the portion 23 may be cut oiIto make the bolt shorter. The spring catch, and its function, may also be omitted if desired. This catch, however, is valuable in providing an additional support for the bolt I3, to prevent any v looseness between the spring and the bolt. It will be seen that the lock A will function properly regardless of whether the front door II is pivoted at the front or at the4 back, as the spring I5, 4l or 48 will flex when the door I I is closed in either instance. The spring does not act as a cam, but as a spring, to resiliently urge the bolt I3 rearwardly. y

I have described what I believe to be the preferred constructions of my device. However, I desire to make it known that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims, without departing from the spirit of my inven- Ahinged doors and a center post, a bolt slidably door, notch means in said bolt and means enother door for resiliently urging said I claim:

i. In combination with a vehicle having a front door, a rear door, and an intermediate post. a bolt slidably engageable and disengageable with said rear door, a resilient means securing said bolt to 5 said post, said resilient means being engageablev with said front door to operate'said bolt into engagement with said rear door.,

2. In combination with a pair of oppositely engageable and disengageable with one of said doors, spring means connecting said bolt to said post,- said spring means engaging said other door and operable under this engagement to resiliently rge said bolt into engagement with said one oor.

3. In combination with a pair of oppositely hinged doors and a center post, a bolt slidably mounted on said post engageable and disengageable with one-of said doors, and a spring means connecting said bolt to said post, said spring formed to engage the other of said-doors at a point spaced from the connections with said post and said bolt to resiliently force said bolt into engagementwith said one door.

4. In combination with a pair of oppositely hinged doors and a center post, a bolt movably mounted on said post engageable and disengageable with one of said doors, means for adjusting the length of said bolt, and spring means connecting one end of said bolt to said post, said spring" means engageable with said other door in the closing of said other door to urge said bolt resiliently into engagement with said one door.

5. In combination with a pair of oppositely hinged doors and a center post, a bolt movably mounted on said post for engagement and disengagement with one of said doors, means on said bolt engageable with thek other of said doors to urge said bolt into engagement with said one gageable with said notch means in said bolt to hold said bolt from movement by said other door.

6. Incombination with a pair of oppositely hinged doors and a center post, a bolt movably mounted on said center post for engagement withone of said doors, means on said'bolt overlying a portion of the exterior surface of said center post engageable with the other of said doors for movement thereby, said means forming a resilient support for said bolt, and means for locking said bolt from movement by said other door.'

7. InA combination with a pair of oppositely hinged doors and a center post, a rigid bolt movably mounted on said center post and projecting from both sides thereof engageable in one position with one of said doors', means resiliently connecting one end of said bolt to said post, said v resiliently connecting means engageable with said bolt into engagement 'with said one door, and means for locking said bolt from movement.

8. In combination with a pair of oppositely hinged doors and a center post, a bolt movably mounted on said center post engageable in one u position with one of said doors, resilient means on one end of said bolt engageable with the other of said doors and movable thereby to resiliently urge said bolt into engagement with said one door, and means engageable with said one end of n said bolt to preevnt movement into engagement with said one door.

AUGUSTINE G. LANGFORD. 

